Some municipal officials revisiting security measures

Following Monday night's fatal shootings at a Ross Township municipal meeting, other townships reviewed what security measures — if any — they should consider.

Chestnuthill Township Supervisor Chris Eckert said he and other officials briefly discussed security Tuesday, the day after fellow Supervisor Dave Fleetwood was killed.

Eckert said the fact that the shooting was not random lessened security concerns some.

"We understand that there was an isolated incident," he said. "There was a clear motive."

Eckert said he doesn't expect security measures to be stepped up, but the nature of politics involves making some people unhappy.

"You're not going to be everyone's friend," he said. "But you need to do what's best for the betterment of the community."

Chestnuthill Township Manager Dave Albright said the township occasionally has police present at meetings, but not always.

In Polk Township, Supervisor Nancy C. May said supervisors next meet later this month and may consider adding more security. When situations grow contentious, they typically call in a constable.

"This world is a crazy place anymore," May said. "Everybody needs to be aware of these things. Even when you go to the grocery store, you never know."

Middle Smithfield on Tuesday lowered its flags to half-staff, along with other municipalities.

Annette Atkinson, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, was subdued as she spoke on behalf of board members Michael Dwyer and Mitchell Marcus.

"We were deeply shocked and saddened when we heard of this last night," Atkinson said. "The mood of the office today is very somber. We feel for the families that are grieving. Looking at something like this, it's unfortunate but it's just tragic that things like this happen in courtrooms, post offices and public buildings all the time."

Atkinson said the supervisors will discuss security during an 8 a.m. workshop Friday but had not considered instituting any security measures since they took office.

Middle Smithfield was once a minefield of heated and personal exchanges during the township's Board of Supervisors meetings between residents and then-supervisors Scott Schaller and Robert Spano.

It prompted Schaller to bring in two state constables to escort disruptive residents from the building and maintain control. Only one irate resident was escorted out — at two different meetings.

That security protection was dropped on Jan. 1 last year when Atkinson and Dwyer took those supervisors positions after Schaller and Spano resigned.

Although the debates never led to violence, Schaller commented about residents bringing concealed weapons into township meetings during a Jan. 13, 2011, meeting moments after he defended his previous vow to crack down on residents who "lie" about elected officials, adding that nasty references to family members also are off limits.

"I'll show you these people in this room right now carrying guns," Schaller said.

Wayne Bolt, a former township supervisor and one-time New York police detective, yelled out that he carries a gun.

Told by another resident that he shouldn't feel threatened by the presence of people with concealed weapons, Schaller said, "Tell that to the people around the country that are getting shot."